Knot of Shadows

A Penric & Desdemona Novella, Book 11

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

When a corpse found floating face-down in Vilnoc harbor is not quite as dead as it seems, Temple sorcerer Penric and his chaos demon Desdemona are drawn into the uncanny investigation. Pen’s keen questions will take him across the city of Vilnoc, and into far more profound mysteries, as his search for truths interlaces with tragedy.

©2021 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Back to the beginning

I get people talking about how sad this story is, and there is definitely the moment when you realize what is happening, but overall it’s a beautiful story — one that is a call back to the beginning, all the way to the first moments of The Curse of Chalion.

I hope this isn’t the last Pen & Dez story, but if it is, coming full circle like this is a good way to go.

exceptional!

Lois McMaster Bujold and Grover Gardner never disappoint. I can't imagine a better performances of this novella, or indeed, any of the Penric and Des novellas. Such thoughtful writing and insight. Gently evocative and beautiful written. Love, love , love them all.

mystery and theology

grover garder does a warm inviting narration. Pendric is getting wiser and with a growing family. I do wonder if we will see him as part of the demon in a 5 gods novel in a later time

Enjoyable

As usual, very entertaining entry in the Penrik & Desdemona series. Excellently well written and read, just a joy to hear!

A good and thoughtful tale

This is a good story but also goes more into how complicated souls are. It is more widely applicable than the usual fantasy.

So poignant and heartfelt.

I’ve listened to this, and all the Penric and Desdemona stories, multiple times. Like sharing your favorite personal stories with friends and family, there’s laughter, and wisdom, and love, and sometimes, as in this story, tears. But always, there is love, and that is what I’m left with at the end of this story. My thanks to this gifted author.

another great short from LMB

very touching, Penric is growing and changing along with Des. I almost cried toward the end

Moved me to tears several times

Well done, Lois. The world of the five gods grows ever more compelling with every volume.

My favorite author

Very successfully uses the fantasy element to leverage examination of the human character. Characters I enjoy meeting.

Excellent Bujold Desdemona & Pendric story:

as usual in a multi-mystery format. The universe of the Five Gods has a complex rule format for solving human reactions to real world happenings and this is made much more problematic when magick is included in the story! Kudos to Bujold in the complexity of this story!